ORIGIN

Bought on BaT: C5 & C6 Corvette Z06

The Corvette has long been something of a performance bargain, frequently offering power, acceleration and speed on par with contemporary exotics costing in many cases twice as much or more. Older ‘Vettes can handle, but Chevy got really serious about this aspect of total performance with the C5, and in particular with the Z06.

First offered on the C2 (1963-’67) as a Zora Arkus-Duntov-developed package marketed at racers, RPO Z06 was available only with the Rochester fuel-injected L84 327 and included a larger front sway bar, sintered metallic brake linings in Alfin drums serviced by cooling ducts, shocks and springs nearly twice as stiff as standard, Positraction, and initially anyway, a 36.5-gallon fuel tank (20 was standard) for endurance racing. Just 199 were made, and survivors are now among the most valuable Corvettes ever made.

Several decades would pass before the Z06 returned, this time in the form of 2001-2004’s unique fixed-roof, lightweight C5 coupe. Its LS6 made 405 HP, put down to the meaty rears through a 6-speed transaxle with Z06-specific gearing, a recipe yielding 3.9 second 0-60 MPH runs and a sub-eight-minute lap at the Nurburgring–very exclusive territory at the time. More than 28,000 were made, so availability remains good even today.

The C6 debuted in 2005, bringing with it a new Z06 the following year. The C6 was already notably more compact than the C5, and the third-gen Z06 brought significant weight savings as well, thanks largely to a unique aluminum chassis netting a curb weight some 100 pounds less than its predecessor. The incredible LS7 made its first appearance in the C6 Z06, utilizing spec including titanium con rods and dry-sump oiling to deliver 505 HP from a free-revving unit that at 7.0 liters marks the biggest small block ever made. Production numbers were nearly identical to that of the C5 Z06, making both even greater performance bargains used.

Want to be notified when one of these models is listed for sale, or to see detailed past auction results? You can check out our BaT Model Pages below by clicking on embedded results charts, or via the search function at the top right.

This ~30k-mile, one-owner 2003 is the most affordable Z06 to have passed through BaT Auctions so far, having sold for $20k in late 2017. Per its listing, the car was unmodified excluding aftermarket wheels and a K&N air filter, and the included Carfax detailed scheduled maintenance performed at regular intervals. This was a later 405 HP car (up 20 from early C5 Z06’s), and overall condition looked nice throughout.

Up next was another 2003 example, which at the time was claimed by its seller to have just 3,235 miles. It looked great in Torch Red, which was probably the best color for this gen ‘Vette, at least when paired with the Z06-specific hardtop body style. Reportedly unmodified, the car also benefitted from new fluids and fresh Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires. It sold for $26k in March, 2017.

The above chart tracks BaT Auctions sales for C5 Corvettes of all types, as found on our BaT Model Page here.

The most affordable third-gen Z06 featured on BaT Auctions so far was this 2008, claimed-18k-mile example. Extensively modified with ported, stainless valve heads, competition cam, ported intake manifold and more, the car reportedly dyno’d at 611 HP–combined with the base 1LT options package (the lightest available), performance was likely significantly improved over already-impressive factory figures of ~3.5 seconds to 60 MPH and nearly 200 flat-out. It sold for $30k in November, 2017.

Fourth and final is this 2007, claimed-8k-mile example listed by its original owner. This car was unmodified, making do with only 505 HP, and condition appeared to be nice inside and out. Optioned with the Preferred Equipment Group including Bose six-CD sound, heated seats and more, the car included its original window sticker and maintenance records as well. It sold for $34,250 in June, 2017.

The above chart tracks BaT Auctions sales for C6 Corvettes of all types, as found on our BaT Model Page here.